Sweeney driver's license lifted

BALLSTON SPA -- Former U.S. Rep. John Sweeney has been forced to hand over his driver's license because he refused to submit to a Breathalyzer screening during his April arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Sweeney's license was revoked for 18 months at a hearing last week at the Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicle's office in Ballston Spa. The hearing and license revocation are standard practice when a defendant refuses a pre-screen alcohol test.

Ken Brown, spokesperson for the DMV, said anyone confirmed to have refused a Breathalyzer loses their license for a year. If they have a prior alcohol-related conviction, as Sweeney does for a 2007 incident, the revocation increases to 18 months.

Brown said the state trooper who arrested Sweeney for driving while intoxicated on Route 9 April 5 testified at the DMV hearing Friday.

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In August, Sweeney, 54, pleaded not guilty to felony DWI in County Court. He is being represented by attorney E. Stewart Jones of Troy.

At the time of this April arrest police said Sweeney was driving 59 mph in a 40 mph zone. When pulled over, Police reported that Sweeney's speech was slurred, he smelled of alcohol and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot.

Police reported that Sweeney was asked to submit to a Breathalyzer test and informed that refusal would result in the loss of his license.

Sweeney, a former Rensselear County Stop-DWI coordinator, was arrested in November 2007 after swerving in front of a state police car while driving on the Northway.

He did submit to a breathalyzer test during that arrest.

He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DWI in Clifton Park court and his driver's license was revoked for six months. He was also ordered to pay fines and attend a victim impact panel.

A year earlier, in 2006, Sweeney was defeated by now-Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for his seat in Congress.